Choosing a jacket for Autumn/Winter can be a tricky undertaking. Should you go for an insulated coat to keep you warm when the temperature dips, or should you go for a shell so that you can layer up underneath and adjust accordingly when you start to work up a sweat on the trails?
The Caldbeck jacket from Craghoppers leans more towards the lightweight and layer option, but with an outer fabric and a lining made up of mesh and recycled taffeta, it offers a little more than a simple one-layer shell. The lining itself is fairly crisp and smooth, making it easy to pull on over a fleece or other midlayer without annoying bunching across the shoulders and arms.
The outer fabric is waterproof to 10,000mm with an Aquadry membrane and fully windproof, something we're endlessly grateful for after taking it for a spin in wet November weather. It's breathable too, so you shouldn't have much trouble with overheating unless you're overzealous with the thermal layers, and is made with stretch for great freedom of movement and comfort.
To help even more with keeping the rain out, the Caldbeck also has a front outside pocket with a waterproof zip (on top of the five other pockets scattered around), fused storm flaps on the pair of poppered front pockets, and taped seams.
The hood is fixed and has front and back toggle adjusters to make it fit well to the head.
In terms of weight, this jacket isn't the most lightweight we've seen, weighing in at 540g, but it's more than light enough to pack down and chuck into a backpack in case the weather turns. Plus, 80 of those grams come from recycled materials, as the Caldbeck is part of Craghoppers Mindfully Made range which strives to use recycled materials, reduce waste and significantly decrease the brand's environmental impact.
Streamlined and stylish, the cut of the Caldbeck is flattering and is a nice length, shaped to fall slightly lower at the back than the front. It also comes in three colourways, the attractive but understated 'Stormy Sea' that we tested, a classic 'Charcoal', and for those who want to stand out in the crowd, a striking pink called 'Baton Rouge.'
Overall, this is a great all-round walking jacket that will serve you well in every season.
